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‘They have been stressing the Kyle Hamilton fit since the first day’ - Notre Dame 2025 signee taking aggressive comparison in stride

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Ryan Roberts | Last updated Dec 11, 2024 5:35 PM ET

The Notre Dame 2025 recruiting class continues a trend that head coach Marcus Freeman has stressed, getting longer and more athletic. That is especially true on the defensive side of the football, where the Irish signed some tremendous football players with outstanding athletic upside. It’s a very gifted group on that side of the football.

There might not be a more athletic recruit in the class than Winston Salem (N.C.) Mount Tabor safety JaDon Blair, who is set to enroll with the program this month. Whether it be as a traditional safety, filling in the box, or even playing on offense, Blair is athletic enough to do a little bit of everything on the field. The Irish staff is very high on him.

On the latest episode of Wake Up the Echoes, Blair joined the show. Notre Dame general manager Chad Bowden also joined the show. He spent a large part of it talking about Blair, and the talent he brings to the table. He wasn’t shy about an aggressive comparison for the type of player he is.

“He’s also 6-5 and has light feet… This kid is special now,” Bowden said about Blair. “We haven’t had a kid of that size play that position since Kyle Hamilton. He is his own person because I know there are going to be some of those comparisons but there’s nobody like JaDon Blair.”

The Hamilton comparison is not new to Blair, whose family actually already has a relationship with the Hamilton family. Being such a unique talent at the safety position, it fits. Blair is adamant that he can fill those shows accordingly.

“They have been stressing the Kyle Hamilton fit since the first day,” Blair said. “They put you in the position to make plays. If you have the talent, you’re going to do it.”

With Adon Shuler returning in 2025, there will be a competition to start opposite him. Blair should absolutely be in that conversation. If the hype is legitimate, he has the talent to make an impact early on in his Irish career. The North Carolina star has fans excited for when he gets on the field.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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